In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson explains how to set a smart, realistic budget for award submissions and decide how many competitions are worth your time and money.
Hannah Jacobson
You've got a list of possible awards open in front of you, your credit card nearby, and a nagging question: how many of these should you actually enter?
Some authors submit to one or two carefully chosen competitions. Others fire off twenty applications and hope something sticks. And then there are those who spend hundreds of dollars only to wonder if they wasted their money.
Here's what I can tell you: there's no magic number that works for everyone. But there is a smart way to figure out what works for you.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Book Award Pro tracks entry fees across thousands of competitions, and the average sits at about $89 USD. However, entry fees vary widely, as you'll find affordable awards alongside competitions charging $500 or more.
Something worth knowing is that a higher entry fee doesn't automatically mean a better award, and it doesn't mean it's a scam either. What you need to ask is whether that particular award delivers value for your marketing plan. Maybe a $200 competition gives you extensive promotion and industry connections. Or maybe a $50 niche award connects you directly with your ideal readers. Price alone doesn't tell you what matters.
It's Not Just About Money
Budget matters, obviously. But your time matters just as much. Every submission takes real effort because you need to review guidelines carefully, format your materials correctly, and meet deadlines. If you're juggling too many applications at once, the quality of each one suffers.
Strategy matters, too. How do awards fit into your bigger marketing picture? Are you building credibility for your next launch? Trying to reach specific reader communities? Hoping to catch the attention of agents or publishers? Your goals should shape which awards you choose and how many you enter.
Consider what you're actually getting from each award beyond the recognition itself. Some awards promote their winners extensively. Others provide industry introductions or substantial prize packages. A few offer mainly prestige. Understanding the full package before you invest helps you make better decisions about where to spend your money.
So What's a Good Starting Point?
If you're looking for a practical approach, consider entering three to six awards over several months. This gives you breathing room to submit thoughtfully, wait for results, and then decide whether to keep going. You're not drowning in deadlines, but you're still giving your book multiple shots at recognition.
Approach this as a campaign rather than a lottery ticket. Spread your entries across different types of awards, perhaps one major national competition, one genre-specific program, and one regional award. You're diversifying your chances and connecting with different audiences at the same time.
Authors use Book Award Pro to sort through the options and find awards that actually match their book's strengths and marketing goals. By factoring value directly into our ratings system, we help you make more strategic, confident submissions.
What Should You Spend?
Some authors budget $200 to $300 for a modest award campaign. Others invest more as part of a major book launch. The right amount depends on your goals, your comfort level, and your timeline. What matters most is being strategic about where you enter.
Your book has award opportunities out there waiting for you. The real question isn't whether to enter awards, but which ones will actually move your career forward. Start with a manageable number, learn from what each submission teaches you, and adjust your approach as you go. That's how you build an award strategy that serves your unique goals and actually delivers results.
About Hannah Jacobson, ALLi Awards & Story Marketing Adviser
Hannah Jacobson is the founder of Book Award Pro: the company that leads the industry in helping authors find the perfect reviews and awards for their books.
Book Award Pro is the industry expert on accolades, operating the world's largest database of legitimate reviews and awards. Every year, authors spanning 6 continents win thousands of new awards, receive valuable reviews, and market their books in one easy-to-use platform.
Book Award Pro has been a trusted ALLi Partner Member since 2020. Hannah is the ALLi advisor for awards and story marketing, and contributes to ALLi resources including the Book Award & Contest Ratings page, Book Prizes & Awards for Indie Authors guidebook, and the Ultimate Guide to Winning Book Awards.
Begin your award-winning journey for free or connect with Hannah and Book Award Pro on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
Find out more
For more information on applying for book awards that are open to indie authors, you can purchase our short guide, available in multiple formats on our bookstore: Book Prizes & Awards for Indie Authors.
Members enjoy free access to the ebook.
Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue?
If you’re an ALLi member, head over to the SelfPubConnect forum for support from our experienced community of indie authors, advisors, and our own ALLi team. Simply create an account (if you haven’t already) to request to join the forum and get going.
Non-members looking for more information can search our extensive archive of blog posts and podcast episodes packed with tips and advice at ALLi's Self-Publishing Advice Center.
